Come dressed in your playclothes. Because Skylight Music Theatre's production of one of the most delightful musicals of all time, "The Sound of Music," is about to open, and we want you to join in its spirit. You all have permission to sing as you refresh your memories of this beloved musical with our "Sound of Music" primer in Weekend Cue. How many favorite things can you name?

Christopher Porterfield performs a Stephen Foster song in the Tap Milwaukee studio.

Even if you haven't heard of Stephen Foster, you've heard his music. "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races" are among the first songs a child hears and learns. Unforgettable melodies, and their place in the public domain, ensure that they have endured, in schools, in toys, in movies and commercials, 160-plus years after Foster wrote them.

Foster is thought to have been the country's first professional composer, and his songs were immensely popular during his lifetime. But the music publishing market soured during the Civil War, and Foster died Jan. 13, 1864, at 37, struggling with a fever and a head injury in his final days, with just 38 cents in his pocket. | Jan. 30, 2013»Read Full Article

This week's new iTunes singles has Destiny's Child going "Nuclear," Lonely Island spoofing Drake's "YOLO" motto and New Kids on the Block releasing the terribly titled "Remix (I Like The)." Find out if these are songs that I liked the, and hear them yourself below.

Gut reaction: Given that it’s the first new song in nine years and goes by the name “Nuclear,” you’d expect some explosive vocals from Beyonce and her former girl group colleagues Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Instead, “Nuclear” is a rather calm toxic love ditty, but it does splendidly showcase the trio’s vocal harmonies.

The night after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Liv Mueller couldn't sleep.

"I started thinking about the reality of what that scene must have looked like before and after innocent kids were shot and killed. And here I am in the comfort of my own home, and families are dealing with tragedy," the Milwaukee musician said. "A melody popped into my head, and I went downstairs and recorded a song and posted it on Facebook." | Jan. 30, 2013»Read Full Article

It's nearly the end of the first month of this brand new year. We're pretty sure that means you can't wish someone "Happy New Year" or fiddle with those resolutions after tomorrow. In any case, it's a good time to offer good wishes and look over those annual goals one last time (if you haven't blown them already).

One of our goals is to be a great source for what's going on. And so let's look at what's on the agenda today. | Jan. 30, 2013»Read Full Blog Post(2)